Fox on hunt for ‘Dog’ laffs

Wilmer Valderrama to star in comedy series

Fox is developing a project inspired by the work of “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan. Wilmer Valderrama is set to star.

Details are still being ironed out, but it appears that Valderrama would play the character based on Millan, who has built a lucrative empire based on his skills as a professional dog trainer.

“Hung” co-exec producer Emily Kapnek will write and exec produce the half-hour comedy, which has a script-plus penalty order at Fox. Twentieth Century Fox TV is the studio.

Project reunites Kapnek with Valderrama; she wrote Fox pilot “The Emancipation of Ernesto” last year for the star, but that series didn’t move forward.

Also onboard to exec produce is Barry Josephson, whose Josephson Entertainment banner is also attached. Both Valderrama and Millan will have titles on the show.

Millan’s series, “The Dog Whisperer,” has aired on the National Geographic Channel (which is operated by Fox Cable Networks — keeping things all in the family) since 2004.

Millan has written the book “Cesar’s Way” and is known for working with celebs including Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith. Until recently, Millan ran the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles.

Millan has also appeared as himself on “Ghost Whisperer” and “Bones.”

Valderrama is best known for his role on “That ’70s Show” and, more recently, as the voice of Disney Channel’s “Handy Manny.” His feature credits include “The Dry Land,” “Fast Food Nation” and “Unaccompanied Minors.”